Michigan health centers get $3.8M to boost staff

Michigan's community health centers can receive about $3.8 million from the federal government to help uninsured Americans enroll in health insurance coverage under the federal Affordable Health Care Act.

The U.S. Health and Human Services Department announced Thursday that the money is available for 32 of the state's health centers as they prepare to ramp up enrollment efforts.

The money can go toward hiring and training new staff and education programs to help residents better understand their health coverage options.

Department Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says in a statement that the state's health centers provide care for about 570,000 Michigan residents and are well-positioned to help the uninsured find coverage.

About $150 million is available for community health centers nationwide.